EAM S Jaishankar calls for harnessing AI opportunities while mitigating emerging risks, highlighting secure systems, human capabilities, maritime security, international law, and responsible AI use for economic growth, social welfare, and global peace and security.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for a balanced approach to artificial intelligence (AI), stressing the need to harness its opportunities while anticipating its consequences and mitigating emerging risks. He underlined the growing importance of responsible AI use in international peace and security, particularly in the maritime domain.
Jaishankar made the remarks while co-chairing a session titled “AI in the Context of International Peace & Security, with an Emphasis on Maritime Security” with Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis. The discussion focused on the opportunities created by rapidly developing AI technologies and the security challenges that could emerge from their increasingly widespread use.
According to Jaishankar, AI has the potential to contribute significantly to economic development, social welfare and human capabilities. At the same time, its growing application in sensitive areas requires governments and international institutions to remain attentive to possible security implications.
The External Affairs Minister referred to the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the recently concluded 18th BRICS Summit, highlighting its emphasis on ensuring broader access to AI resources and promoting the development of systems that are safe, secure and reliable.
He said the declaration places importance on democratic access to AI resources, investment in human capabilities and the development of trustworthy AI systems. It also recognises the potential of the technology to support economic growth and advance social welfare.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said that the possibilities offered by AI need to be harnessed while its consequences are anticipated and its risks addressed. He stressed that innovation should be encouraged alongside greater awareness of the security implications associated with AI.
The discussion also examined the specific impact of AI on maritime security. Jaishankar pointed out that AI-based technologies could strengthen maritime domain awareness by improving the ability to monitor and understand activities at sea.
AI can also support search-and-rescue operations, disaster response and the identification of suspicious activities, while helping improve the resilience of ports and other critical maritime infrastructure. These applications could contribute to faster responses and more effective management of maritime emergencies.
However, Jaishankar also drew attention to the risks associated with the use of AI in the maritime domain. Advanced technologies could be used for sophisticated reconnaissance, vulnerability mapping and cyber operations targeting vessels, communication networks and undersea infrastructure.
The increasing autonomy of maritime systems also raises questions concerning attribution and accountability. Jaishankar noted that autonomous systems could complicate efforts to determine responsibility for actions, while faster automated decision-making could reduce the time available for human intervention and increase the possibility of escalation.
He stressed that the UN Charter and international law, including the law of the sea, continue to provide essential frameworks for governing the conduct of states in the maritime domain.
Jaishankar further underlined the importance of transparency, confidence-building measures, capacity development, technical cooperation and the exchange of best practices. According to him, these measures are necessary to ensure that AI is developed and deployed in a manner consistent with established international principles.
The External Affairs Minister also reaffirmed that AI and maritime security remain important priorities for India at the United Nations. His remarks come amid growing international discussions on the implications of emerging technologies for global security and the need for greater cooperation in establishing responsible approaches to their use.
The session therefore highlighted the dual nature of AI in maritime security: its ability to strengthen monitoring, emergency response and infrastructure resilience, alongside the potential for new cyber, operational and strategic vulnerabilities.
| Also Read: Putin warns Ukraine provocative acts could worsen the situation |
Jaishankar’s intervention underlined India’s position that technological innovation and security considerations need to progress together. The emphasis on international law, cooperation and responsible deployment reflects the broader discussion around developing AI systems that can contribute to economic and social progress while addressing emerging risks.
